Two species of flies, drosophila melanogaster and drosophila simulans, can mate. they usually do not mate, however, even if they are kept together in a laboratory. males court the females of both species, but the females prefer to mate with males of their own species. which isolating mechanism does this describe?
a.)behavioral
b.)temporal
c.)geographical
d.)anatomical

The isolating mechanism involved is the behavioral change (A).

Further Explanation:

Isolating mechanism are those characteristics of the species that prevents them to reproduce with other members of the species.

There are various types of isolating mechanism:

1. Behavioral- Reproductive isolation that arises due to the behavior of the individual during their mating period.

2. Temporal- The species breeds at different time or they may have different breeding season, therefore this can lead to reproductive isolation.

3. Geographical- The isolation of species because they occupies different habitats.

4. Anatomical- Isolation that arises due to different internal structure of the species.

Example of isolating mechanism - when two species of flies, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans, can mate however they usually do not mate. But even though they are kept with each other in any lab, males court the females of both species but the females prefers to mate with males that belongs to the same species.This example shows the behavioral isolation.

Learn more:

1. Learn more about plants: link

2. Learn more about bacteria: link

3. Learn more about viruses: link

Answer Details:

Grade: College  Biology

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Ecology

Keywords:

Reproductive isolation, behavioral isolation, temporal isolation, geographical isolation, anatomical isolation, Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila simulans, species, mate, isolating mechanism, breeding season.